Calcium & phosphorous in bird diet

Much is written about the importance of calcium in a pet bird's diet, but equally important is the ratio of calcium to phosphorous in the food.

Calcium is essential for the formation and maintenance of bone as well as the clotting of blood in pet birds. Egg production in the female bird requires the presence of sufficient levels of calcium.

Phosphorous is also very important in the formation of bone as well as playing a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. However, too much calcium or phosphorous in the diet can often cause more harm than good and the ratio of calcium:phosphorous is a key consideration.

Calcium and phosphorous work in concert in the formation of bone. A proper ratio is important so that the bird's metabolism can handle both nutrients effectively. Too much of one or the other can cause rickets, stunted growth, abnormal posture or gait and reduced egg production among other problems.

In many seed mixes, neither calcium nor phosphorous is readily abundant which creates the need for supplementation. In fortified seed mixes, it is important that the ratio of calcium/phosphorous be maintained, but because of a bird's tendency to "pick and choose" the items in a seed mix, achieving the correct ratio could be very tricky if not impossible.

Most pelleted foods, by contrast, offer a diet with both calcium and phosphorous in the correct ratio. In general, the ratio of Calcium: Phosphorous should be between 1.5:1 and 2:1 in the food.

Variations within this range are not uncommon, but if the ratio drifts out of this range, the potential for problems arises. If you are supplementing your bird's diet with added calcium, be careful to keep the Ca:P ratio in mind.

A visit to your local avian vet would be a good way to check blood levels of the nutrients and get a better picture of your bird's overall health.

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